Apparatus for using automobiles as power plants.



J. E. DELK.

APPARATUS FOR USlNG AUTOMOBILES AS POWER PLANTS. APPLICATION FILED Dec. 2, 1915.

Patented June 20, 1916.

Marietta, in the county of JAMES EVANS DELK, OF HABIETTA, GEORGIA.

APPARATUS FOR USING AUTOMOBILES AS POWER PLANTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 20, 1916.

Application filed December 2, 1915. Serial No. 64,751.

- specification.

' changes to be actuated directly The present invention is an apparatus whereby an automobile may be used as a stationary power plant for operating a churn, pump, electric current generator or other machine, whereby the owner or user of an automobile can use the automobile engine for operating various machines, without the necessity of employing a separate stationary en ine. The automobile can thus be put to use 111 purposes, while standing in the garage, or elsewhere.

The present apparatus is of such construction that it can be readily applied to and removed from the automobile, and is comparatively simple andinexpensive in construction.

It is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the nature indicated which is improved generally in its construction and details to enhance the utility and efficiency thereof, the apparatus enabling the machine which is to be operated from the automobile engine" and not through the intervention of the transmission mechanism of the vehicle.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that in the precise embodiment of the inherein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a front end view of an automobile with the apparatus applied. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the apparatus as applied. Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectlon of the adjustable bearing taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 4. is a vertical section of the bearing taken on the line H of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a cap for protecting the shaft.

As illustrated, the apparatus is applied to vention a Ford automobile, although it is to be unthrough the plates 7 bodying the derstood that the apparatus can be employed with various otherautomobiles, suitable changes being made when necessary.

The automobile illustrated embodies a frontaxle 1 upon which is secured the semielhptlcal spring having its intermediate portion clamped to the yoke or cross piece 3 at the forward end of the frame or chas- SIS. The radiator 4. is disposed above the yoke 3, and is connected by a return pipe 5 with the water jackets 6 of the engine.

To attach the apparatus to the automo-- bile, two front plates 7 rest against the yoke 3 and spring 2 at the opposite sides of the central portions thereof, and plates or bars 8 rest against the rear sides of the spring and yoke opposite the plates 7 Bolts or other clamping elements 9 are engaged and 8 between the spring 2 and yoke 3, and clamp said plates to the spring and yoke.

The forward end of the automobile is preferably supported by a pair of legs emfeet or base plates 10 to be seated or secured upon the fioor or base and having upwardly projecting tubular leg sections 11 into which are telescoped the upper leg sections 12. The upper ends of the sections or rods 12 have eyes embracing the bolts 9, whereby said bolts not only serve to clamp the plates 7-8 to the" automobile, but also attach the legs thereto. The rods 12 are provided with a longitudinal series of apertures 13 adjacent their lower ends, and pins or other elements 14 are insertible through the tubular sections 11 and apertures 13 for adjustably supporting the rods 12, the. legs being adjustable to various heights for properly supporting the forward end of the automobile.

A semi-circular bracket 15 is terminally secured to the plates 7, and projects forwardly, and an adjustable bearing 1s carried by the intermediate portion of the bracket 15. This bearing embodies a pillow block 16 seated upon the bracket 15' and having at its opposite sides lower outstanding cars 17 bolted, as at 18, upon the bracket 15. The pillow block 16 is provided with an upper depression or recess 19 having a spherical surface in which is seated the spherical enlargement 20 of a sleeve or bearing 21. The enlargement 20 is disposed intermediate the ends of the sleeve 21, and the ends of said sleeve project forwardly and rearwardly from the block 16. The enlargement is seated in the depression 19 and enables the sleeve 21,to be adjusted to various angles within certain limits.

The 0 posite sides of the block 16 are provide with vertical grooves 22, and with apertures 23 at the lower ends of saidgrooves, and a U-shaped rod or bolt 24 straddles the enlargement 20 and has its limbs seated within the grooves'22 and extending through the a ertures 23 and bracket 15. Nuts 25 are t eaded upon the ends of the rod 24 to draw the same downwardly, whereby the intermediate portion of the rod 24 in seating upon the enlargement 20 will clamp said enlargement upon the pillow block 16.

A shaft 26 is journaled through the sleeve 21, and an annular series of anti-frictional rollers 27 are disposed between the shaft 26 and sleeve 21 whereby the shaft rotates easily. The rear end of the sleeve 21 has an mturned annular flange 28 provided with an annular groove29 receivin packing which embraces the shaft 26, an a ring or annulus 30 is threaded into the forward end of the sleeve 21 and has an annular groove 31 receiving packing embracing said shaft, whereby the packings will retain the lubricant within the sleeve 21.

Before the apparatus is applied to the automobile, the starting crankis detached, so that the shaft 26 can be connected directly to the forward end of the crank shaft of the engine. To effect this connection the rear end of the shaft 26 has attached thereto a socket member 32 for receiving the forward end of the crank shaft 35, and provided 'with notches 33 for receiving the clutch pin 34 of the crank shaft 35, whereby the shaft 26 is connected by a universal joint with the crank shaft 35. When the device is applied, the socket member 32 can be readily slipped rearwardly upon the crank shaft 35 and pin 34, and the pin 34 in engaging Within the notches 33 will rotate the shaft 26 with the crank shaft 35,

although the shaft 26 is not strictly in alinement with the crank shaft.

A pulley wheel 36 is mounted upon the shaft 26 in front of the bearing, and a starting crank 37 is carried by the forward end of the shaft 26. A collar 38 is preferably secured upon the shaft 26 to bear a inst the rear end of the sleeve 21 for holding the shaft 26 in place relative to the bearing, the hub of the pulley wheel 36 bearing against the forward end of the sleeve 21.

In order to provide supplemental means for cooling the water ing tank 39 is provided, the same being connected adjacent its lower end'by a pipe 40 with the return pipe 5, and a pipe 41 connecting the tank 39 adjacent its up er end with the upper filling spout or nipp e 42 of furthering the utility flowing between thewater jackets and radiator, a, secondary coolthe radiator 4. The hot water. will flow from the radiator 4 through the pipe 41 into the tank 39, and as the water is cooled in .saiid'tank the cool water will flow through the pipe 40 into the return pipe '5 and water jackets 6. The tank 39 thus e06 crates. with the radiator for effectively coo in the engine although the engine is put to ard and continued use.

In applying the apparatus, the shaft 26' tion, althoughthe rod 24 may be left slightly loose to allow the sleeve 21 to vibrate if necessary. When the engine is o erated, the power is transmitted directly to t e shaft 26, and the pulley wheel 36 may be belted to the machine which is to be operated, thereby operating said machine directly from the engine withoutthe intervention of the transmission mechanism of the automobile. lhe full power of the 8s ine is thusderived.

If desired, a suitable governor can be used for regulating the speed. of the engine, and anysuitable clutch device can be employed for connecting and disconnecting the pulley wheel 36 relative to the shaft 26.

The present apparatus enables the owner or userof an automobile to use the automobile as a stationarypower plant, thereby of the automobile.

In Fig. 5, there is illustrated a cap 50 adapted to be slipped onto the outer end of the sleeve 21 forprotecting the outer end of the shaft 26 when the pulley wheel and crank are removed therefrom. a

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

An apparatus of the I character described, embodying a pair of plates, a pair of rear plates, bolts engaged through the plates to clamp them to the forward end of an automobile, a pair of adjustable legs engaged with said bolts, an arcuate forwardly projecting bracket terminally attached to the first mentioned plates, a bearing u on the intermediate portion of said brac et, and a shaft journaled through said bearing and having means at its rear end for connection with the crank bile engine.-

2. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a bracket attachable to an automobile, a pillowv said bracket and having the forward end of block secured upon a depression, a sleeve having a spherical enlargement seated in said depression, a shaft journaled through said sleeve and having means at its rear end for connection with an automobile crank shaft, a U-shaped rod straddling said enlargement and engaged through the pillow block, and nuts threaded shaft of an automothe lower ends of said grooves,

- seated in said depression,

upon the ends of said rod for clamping said enlargement between the rod and pillow block.

3. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a semi-circular bracket having means at its ends for attaching it to the forward end of an automobile, a pillow block secured upon the intermediate portion of said bracket and having a depression, opposite vertical grooves and apertures at a sleeve having a spherical enlargement between its ends a shaft journaled through said sleeve and having means at its rear end for connection with the crank shaft of an automobile engine, a U-shaped rod straddling said enlargement, seated in said grooves and projecting downwardly through said apertures and brackets, and nuts threaded upon the ends of said rod and seating against the bracket.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as m own, I have hereto aflixed my signature 1n the presence of two witnesses.

I JAMES EVANS DELK.

Witnesses:

W. A. Sure, LEN C. BREEDIN. 

